With my poor digestion I end up supplementing a lot. Currently I take Borage oil, biotin P5P & B6, zinc, magnesium (but I'm going to switch to a cal/mag/zinc because I get hand cramps), B1, iron, bio-curcumin, and vitamin c powder. Fish oil doesn't do anything for me really. Loads of flax or olive do, if I'm on a super restrictive diet of basically just rice and a couple vegetables. At least they use to, now it is too much to stomach; I can't handle dousing my food in it with my poor digestion. In the past it was the answer to a lot of things, but now I can't handle it. I'm less healthy now. My immune system, and physical capability to handle things use to be higher. ( I ate a poor diet with lots of ice cream and things when I was just out of high school, lots of beer, can't do any of that now ).

In the morning my stomach seems upset before I eat, I take most of the stuff listed then, maybe some lecithin with it. One day I had diarrhea for a bit (good thing I'm sure). Then I just have to use the rest room and burp before I feel ok again. Then green tea makes my stomach feel better (but risky because more than one cup is a lot for me these days, can induce too-frequent urination). After awhile, or especially after helping myself to something anti-inflammatory like bio-curcumin and maybe some ginko, I can feel the normal digestive juices start to move in me.

What I can't seem to understand is first why my stomach dumps not properly digested food into my intestines. Creating an imbalance every day. I take some HCL to help. When I do, if I'm short on something maybe like biotin, then I can get sorta air-headed and forgetful (not able to manage blood sugar? most the time I think it is low because I can't sleep, lack of nerve function, etc). I have less rosacea with HCL, but taking too much is bad too. See when it just dumps then I get burning BM's instead of heart burn.

The inflammation means all my BM's are far from normal. It is obviously IBS-C (most the time). Without taking supplements though my brain is more off, like unbearably active at times. Also I get very apathetic without taking supplements; totally lose myself. I don't know if it is lack of nutrients or bacterial issues, but my prostate/bladder is a always running shot on me so I urinate too often and not right. I don't make as much testosertone as I should, I'm sure; I don't feel my natural confidence or slightly more confrontational self (even though I hate confrontation, it is more people read into me and can't handle my crazy, strange ideas etc create the confrontation). Consequently since my balls hurt sometimes and go back and forth on blood sugar etc, I'm still not growing hair back.

Understanding the IBS-C and fact that all my problems mostly originate from it, is helpful. I've tried so many things. Soy isoflavones do not help my hormones, blood thinners make me feel better because my system is utterly inflamed most the time, lots of detox stuff clears up my skin and mind largely but never fix digestion or weight. I think I've eaten respectively well for so long that my body isn't all that toxic. It is just inflamed. My rib cage is bigger because of it too. When I don't have the inflammation it goes down some... I look more endo than I am because of it (the only endo feature I have).

Thanks to the supplementation, when I get some exercise it feels more correct. I still have problems with oxygen delivery (anemias?) to some degree (I don't breath right most the time) but I can say thanks to probably P5P and B6 I feel muscle burn and my heart doesn't turn into a hummingbird pace. It actually just beats heavier now like it should, properly. The muscle burn feels right, and good; I love it big time. I'm not quiet flexible yet but my I've actually felt changes in my calves, which have been tight ever since I left high school it seems. Also I'm maintaining muscle so I think my body is properly using energy instead of eating muscle (lack of B6 I imagine, before).

I haven't been diagnosed but pyroloria is pretty obvious for me. When I was a kid I gained weight for no reason, but before I got more than chubby I had stretch marks. I have them on my arms and my arms have NEVER been fat at all. I burned easy, dramatic (emotionally off set very easy), anxiety, basically whatever is on the list like white spots on fingernails etc.

It sucks that I'm always posting the benefits of new things I try but... none of them seem sustainable because they are just small things in a big chain of problems caused by deeper issues it seems. Taking things like D-Ribose etc helps but it doesn't fix anything. If I was rich I'd take it for now because it circumvents energy needs (bad digestion, low B6, low energy, D-Ribose is direct energy).

Right now I need to figure out some way to deal with the digestion. Gastro-D doesn't really do anything for me (I have some clay anyways, take it sometimes). Bromelain doesn't do anything really when I take, at least previously. I think the issue is more macro than micro nutrient. I think it is the cause of my adrenal fatigue which fights me.

After exercising sometimes I get a bit of euphoria in relaxation, especially if I have some magnesium. Problem is I rarely sleep like I am tired after exercising etc; I'm more likely to wake up unable to sleep with low blood sugar, and have to eat something. If I get emotionally worked up it helps to breath and sorta of meditate, but I don't feel energetic and fun afterwards like I do if I exercise. I think it is more natural for me to be playful and creative, which comes from exercise, than to be calm and apathetic like I get from meditation or yoga. I think Yoga is about all my adrenals can handle so sometimes I get euphoria from it, but I feel really plain the rest of the day instead of fun. It is like I hit a certain point of exercise where my body gets exactly what it needs, and anything more is just a burden on my adrenals. It is so irritating if I want to continue to exercise doing something fun, when I just want to take a nap/lay around. Problem is sometimes no exercise can get me there, only sitting still in my apartment or where ever, all day, will give me energy. When I leave though it might drop down so my cheerful mood stops.

After exercising sometimes I get a bit of euphoria in relaxation, especially if I have some magnesium. Problem is I rarely sleep like I am tired after exercising etc; I'm more likely to wake up unable to sleep with low blood sugar, and have to eat something.

Always consider detox after exercising, DoS. Especially, if you are not used to whatever you are doing. Detoxing will always keep me awake. But doing a lot of sweating helps that.

As for the green tea causing more urination, maybe that is detox too.

Yes, it does sound like your adrenals are needing some help. I remember when mine were so bad excitement would totally wear me out for days. What you are describing here is very familiar to me.

And I wouldn't rule out that you may be more toxic than you think.

"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." -- Benjamin Franklin

I like to eat raw garlic. Probiotics don't do anything really. I've eaten lots of yogurt before. Taken Polyflora A many different times and nothing changes really. It just doesn't work at all when stomach acid and digestion isn't right.

I like to eat raw garlic. Probiotics don't do anything really. I've eaten lots of yogurt before. Taken Polyflora A many different times and nothing changes really. It just doesn't work at all when stomach acid and digestion isn't right.

This and the rest of the first post all is pointing in the wrong direction...

my prescription: chuck all the sups.. chuck all that you know about food, chuck your ideas about drinking and sleeping and getting up to the bathroom.. chuck it all..including your thinking.. for 3 full days.. PUT all those things in a shoe box and in the top of some cupboard.. out of sight for NOW.. maybe for ever..

Now that I said all that, may I introduce you to sanity? Here it is in a place called BTD.. simple .. so simple that You do not believe it..

Go back to the first time you read a book on BTD then ask, why am I here? to get better? Yes .. then follow the book to a tee. Follow the first instructions.. shop correctly.. make soothing foods for 3 weeks without fail, heal the insides.

Garlic raw .. the worst I could imagine.. who ever said it is in the books about BTD? What does it say about portion size for any foods? Is it a spice?? It burns the stomach lining, it can permeate through the walls and invade the cavity, it is so strong.. NO not my suggestions at all..

** I would advise you on them, if and when you ask me .. no point wasting your time until you are ready..

At your age you are building ideas about your relationship to foods.. most are just plain wrong for you and your body.. I personally do not care HOW much bad stuff you ate when younger.. YOUR Body (mother father cousin) will forgive you as soon as you feed yourself with real food.

What matters is what you will eat going forward..

If I had to make your post here, I would have said the following..

I am miserable on my inside, I need help.. can you suggest what I should eat to drop weight, to gain weight, to sleep better, or just plain to learn more about proper food for my blood type being A..

All the other stuff is explanations of the why and how come, -- we all do it-- but, going forward: Pay it Forward.. Take simple advise and follow it for two weeks.. and see how you will feel.. I will bet you would survive much better then you would expect..

Which book do you follow???? can you afford to trade all the sups for Swami?? Can you afford food and can you shop for food..

You have been here for a long while.. why are you not better? Any chance you have LYME??

I feel for you. A's can have a hard time, but a lot has to do with the brain.. when we are so 'ill' then the brain does not work either.. so don't despair.. you are not alone. Times will get better.. and so will you..

I pm'd you..

Being here is invaluable, but not enough. We need ALL the Doctors. I needed them for a very small cancer spot-I could never feel!!! Please do your mammograms! Doing so saved me from cancer later on. I am grateful! Thanks for learning from my experience! I was lucky! I wish the same for YOU!

Digestive enzymes don't do anything either. Sleep yes, more than enough. When I feel great I sleep like 6 hours and wake up with energy; far from that right now, and only done it a few times. Pretty sure I don't have lyme disease.

I exercised earlier, lots of sweat. Pretty rough feeling during it. My chest congestion is really a bother during it. Light headache/pressure in my head but I'll take that as a good sign since my face doesn't look as puffy. It is not uncommon for me to have a headache after exercise (a friend of mine Type O has the same problem, an Explorer O). Been doing running even though it is way harder than bicycling for me right now (I weigh too much, so energy output is pretty high to run). Good thing is I could feel minor muscle burn (didn't use to get that, ever). Perhaps that means I'm not anemic now?

I don't believe raw garlic can do anyone harm other than a wow factor because it is so strong.

I have to say, I agree with Goldie, do it & live your best life everyday. You are young, intelligent & know about BTD, that's a lot to be thankful for.....take care of yourself & let the diet work it's magic.

DoS, you said "It sucks that I'm always posting the benefit of new things I try but...none of them seem sustainable because they are just small things in a big chain of problems caused by deeper issues it seems." Wow, can I identify with that! Until recently it was the story of my life.

Inflammation was always a major issue for me too. The B vitamins in their active forms, zinc(I don't seem to need this any longer), GLA(as hemp oil), calcium d-glucarate and vitamin C (as sodium ascorbate) have helped me a lot.

I came across some information stating that inflammation can be a result of hidden viruses and that taking ascorbic acid and L-lysine at the same time can eliminate all viruses. Ascorbic acid is way too acidic for me so I'm using a buffered form called sodium ascorbate. So far, so good. This is the most progress I have made in years. I had a really limited list of O foods that I could eat, but now am able to add in more foods. The real surprise for me was dairy. I couldn't even look at dairy foods without getting a migraine but doing fine now. I think the sodium ascorbate is a big boost for my adrenals also.

An interesting fact I read was that vitamin C found in foods needs to be converted to ascorbic acid in the liver or kidneys. Well that's just like the B vitamins for me. I need the active forms because I don't think my liver is doing the conversions. Getting the C in it's active form was a real boost for me.

I am mindful though that Dr. D once commented about problems with ascorbic acid in place of whole vitamin C (I think DNA changes was one problem but I'm not sure if that was just with super high doses or not. I have to find my notes on that.) so I monitor my progress and in a little while I will ease off. If the problem was viruses and they are now gone, maybe my body can take over from there and do it's job.

Just passing this along in case it interests you. Wishing you luck in figuring things out.

I'm sure garlic isn't beneficial for everybody but it has been of great help to me in healing my stomach personally and I have eaten 10 raw cloves in one sitting and been fine. All it does is detox my system.

DoS - I wish I could help more. I can only imagine how frustrating that all is. I have a type A uncle (probably Warrior) that has suffered with MCS for years and has tried everything under the sun with only minor improvements so far. Seems like he has to do so many things too just to function some what normally. If he were to stop doing those things (such as eating these certain ripe pears), everything would go haywire. Also ultra sensitive to certain foods. Things aren't always so simple. Have you tried visiting a nutritionist?

I'm sure garlic isn't beneficial for everybody but it has been of great help to me in healing my stomach personally and I have eaten 10 raw cloves in one sitting and been fine. All it does is detox my system.

DoS - I wish I could help more. I can only imagine how frustrating that all is. I have a type A uncle (probably Warrior) that has suffered with MCS for years and has tried everything under the sun with only minor improvements so far. Seems like he has to do so many things too just to function some what normally. If he were to stop doing those things (such as eating these certain ripe pears), everything would go haywire. Also ultra sensitive to certain foods. Things aren't always so simple. Have you tried visiting a nutritionist?

Nutritionist couldn't tell me anything I don't know.

Chemical sensitivity is weird for me. In my youth cut grass destroyed me. Now I don't like that stuff, but the sensitivity goes back and forth. The healthier I am the more I become sensitive. Healthy as in my digestion works better and feel like myself. When I'm way less healthy none of the stuff has a noticeable affect but I'm falling apart mentally.

I'll start eating more raw garlic. It is a rush for me though, like it burns for awhile.

If I get some extra $ I might try magnesium malate again. It always seems to steady my mind. Energy production is an obvious main downfall of my body. It kills my exercise, and adrenals all the time. D-Ribose also makes me feel good.

The one positive thing about exercise today was no heart flutter (in the past hard exercise would result in my heart beating really fast and weak, and I could go for a long time but wouldn't be breathing hard at all; at this point I believe that is when I'd lose muscle when I exercised). I imagine it is a combination of P5P, B12, iron, and stuff that provide oxygen in combination, as well as some cellular energy to prevent my heart from fluttering.

Burns in the stomach but I don't mind. In the mouth, well yes it does.

MCS isn't a big problem for me like some people. A guy I know can't leave his house without a respirator. I'm not like that even they chemicals can bother me greatly at times. (Lots of perfumes etc make me choke, some sorta plasticish teddy bear gave me a rash as a child, cut grass super bad, sneeze a lot around different chemicals like in dark room etc)

Do you have SWAMIX? and if so what world view do you get? (reactor, receptor, or thrifty)

kauaian I have to say, I agree with Goldie, (of Friday, July 13, 2012, 8:46pm )do it & live your best life everyday. You are young, intelligent & know about BTD, that's a lot to be thankful for.....take care of yourself & let the diet work it's magic.

Quoted Text

DoS... ... I don't know what you are talking about? Do what?

You might want to re-read my post.

I know you answered the question about Lyme.. I hope you don't have it.. Yet I might have you learn more about its effect in the Lyme thread somewhere here.. it is revealing for some.. particularly .. look for a link to the movie: Under our Skin... if you can not find it ask me..

There was much more pertinent info in that thread.about feeling bad.. look for it.. and reconsider following SWAMI to a tee.. ?

By the way, what did you tell Swami-xpress is wrong with you.. what are Swami's foods suggested as Diamonds and Beneficials? Can you list just them including the spices? can you bold the foods you eat from that list... it might give more clues.. as to why you are not better YET..

Starting-a-new helps with new eyes..

Being here is invaluable, but not enough. We need ALL the Doctors. I needed them for a very small cancer spot-I could never feel!!! Please do your mammograms! Doing so saved me from cancer later on. I am grateful! Thanks for learning from my experience! I was lucky! I wish the same for YOU!

Burns in the stomach but I don't mind. In the mouth, well yes it does.

MCS isn't a big problem for me like some people. A guy I know can't leave his house without a respirator. I'm not like that even they chemicals can bother me greatly at times. (Lots of perfumes etc make me choke, some sorta plasticish teddy bear gave me a rash as a child, cut grass super bad, sneeze a lot around different chemicals like in dark room etc)

Do you have SWAMIX? and if so what world view do you get? (reactor, receptor, or thrifty)

Well that's annoying (that it burns your stomach).

That's pretty crazy. Not even my uncle has it that badly.

Unfortunately I don't yet. I have to get my secretor status first too but am trying to get it ASAP.

Last night my head hurt way more than I wanted, and didn't feel tired like I should. Then I ate an apple with some HCL and got tired and felt better. Malic acid...

I've been looking at the Krebs cycle trying to figure out why I must be deficient and producing my own. Exercise has always been like this for me to some degree. I get better over time but in general I have to push myself way beyond to get back to doing lighter exercise and it not affecting me much. Eating and resting after exercise helps, and my body feels lose, but if I eat too much it is bad. Besides eating doesn't really fix much after exercise. Unless it is high in malic acid maybe, like with the apple. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to help me sleep through the night so I was up late.

When I was taking Magnesium Malate, I slept really well, and only urinated when I needed too, at proper amounts. It was like being normal. See I thought I was taking magnesium but didn't know that Magnesium Malate isn't really like taking Magnesium. At that time I was taking Cal-Mag-Zinc too and cut back on the Magnesium Malate because I figured I was going to have too much magnesium. Well I slowly took the Magnesium Malate over the course of months, then towards the end of the bottle found out it isn't magnesium per say... I tried malic acid and it helped my mind, but the trouble is absorption rate is low so I didn't have the super positive affects on sleep etc especially since I didn't have any other nutrients in good amounts. When I was taking Magnesium Malate in larger doses I also had the basic Type A supplement pack so I was getting more of the vitamins I needed.

I literally feel like my energy production is impaired. I'm not dead tired or anything like some people, but I'm not myself very well unless I sit on my butt most the time. I don't enjoy that, I want adventure. I'm going to continue to look for information on the Krebs cycle.

I got some magnesium malate earlier. Luckily it is way cheaper than anything else. I feel better already. Unfortunately it is higher on the magnesium side so I have to be careful with it. I was playing Frisbee earlier and felt like I was broken because I just become clumsy when I don't feel like I have energy. I'm not tired, but reflexes and coordination just leave.

You have the same Myer Briggs as I do. I might be meticulous about things I like, but I'm also a bit crazy with imagination.

Burns in the stomach but I don't mind. In the mouth, well yes it does.

A supplement recommended Dr. D which was one of the first that caught my eye years back in ER4YT is Fucus vesiculosus (bladderwrack), because at that time I used to suffer regularly from heartburn and GERD, and it was becoming worse and worse. The minute I started to take it (in Solgar capsules) the Gerd fits vanished. Bladderwrack is contained in moderetae dosage in Gastro-D.

The Solgar supplement contains 520mg of bladdewrack per capsule. Have you ever tried to take this sea-weed?

I got some magnesium malate earlier. Luckily it is way cheaper than anything else. I feel better already. Unfortunately it is higher on the magnesium side so I have to be careful with it. I was playing Frisbee earlier and felt like I was broken because I just become clumsy when I don't feel like I have energy. I'm not tired, but reflexes and coordination just leave.

You have the same Myer Briggs as I do. I might be meticulous about things I like, but I'm also a bit crazy with imagination.

So modest. Well at least in this area, yes

Maybe you're not getting enough protein or iron?

Being meticulous is a good thing and I meant it in a good way My uncle is an INFJ too (probably type 5) which may be why you remind me of him so much. Do you happen to know your enneagram type?

Right now all I know is I'm the biggest idiot there is with women. I hope your uncle has it better.

I don't get enough of anything in the right way. Spent all night on the toilet after taking magnesium malate, and stomach uncomfortable. That and being rather upset about my life ^ kept me up all night.

I sent in my pictures to http://mysomatotype.com/ to maybe get more clarification. Also I may get to go to Bridgeport depending on when available appointments are.

If the digestion isn't right have you tried eating smaller meals and less protein. only eating protien between 12 and 1 pm or therabouts. and drinking water only 30 mins before a meal and 2 and 1/2 hours after a meal.

and probably a whole lot less oil.

maybe have a colonic irrigation a few time to clear you out. then let the food digest properly by eating smaller meals in the morning and evening and as i said any protien at lunchtime.

and as someone said stop ALL supps for a few weeks reboot your system.